Evelyn stumbled through the narrow streets, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to steady herself. The chaos around her—the fires consuming buildings, the screams of terrified civilians, the relentless clash between the church and the sect—felt distant now, muffled by the overwhelming sensation of something far greater pressing down on her mind. Her violet eyes darted toward the swirling vortex above, its pulsating colors casting an eerie glow across the city. But even as she stared at it, she couldn't fully comprehend what she was seeing. It wasn't just a storm or some natural phenomenon—it was alive, watching, waiting.
And then, amidst the disorienting cacophony of destruction, a wave of relief washed over her. She spotted Alden, Rook, and Garrick approaching from a side street, their faces etched with concern but otherwise unharmed. Their presence grounded her momentarily, pulling her back from the brink of panic. For all the horrors unfolding around them, knowing that her crew was safe gave her a sliver of hope—a fragile tether to sanity in this unraveling world.
---
To Evelyn's astonishment, the district Alden and the others had passed through seemed untouched by the ritual's effects. While the rest of Port Solace crumbled under temporal distortions and shadowy tendrils, this area remained eerily intact. Shops stood undamaged, their windows gleaming faintly in the dim light. Children played quietly in courtyards, seemingly oblivious to the catastrophe engulfing the city. Even the air smelled different here—cleaner, calmer, almost serene.
"What… how is this possible?" Evelyn murmured, her voice barely audible over the distant echoes of battle.
Alden adjusted his monocle, his expression thoughtful. "I don't know, Captain. When we arrived, everything was already like this. No signs of the ritual's influence."
Rook tilted his head slightly, his painted grin leering unnaturally. "Maybe it's because we're lucky bastards."
Garrick chuckled deeply, his massive frame shaking slightly with amusement. "Or maybe it's because dwarves know how to keep their districts safe."
At that, Alden nodded, gesturing toward a nearby workshop where they'd spent much of their time earlier. "Speaking of which, I managed to strike a deal with one of the local artisans—a master craftsman who specializes in creating artifacts. He agreed to help us repair the ship's damaged equipment—and even upgrade some of our gear."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "That's good news. What did it cost?"
Rook groaned dramatically, throwing up his hands. "Too much! Do you have any idea how many gold coins I had to fork over? This guy charges more than a royal banquet!"
Garrick laughed again, clapping Rook on the shoulder hard enough to make him stagger. "Relax, clown. Dwarves always charge high prices for quality work. Trust me, it'll be worth it."
Evelyn couldn't help but smile faintly at their banter. Despite the dire circumstances, there was something comforting about their camaraderie—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, humanity found ways to endure. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to feel warmth, to believe that perhaps not everything was lost.
But the reprieve was short-lived.
---
Before she could say another word, a deafening sound echoed through the air—a heartbeat so loud it felt like the entire city was being squeezed within a giant fist. Evelyn staggered backward, clutching her head as pain exploded behind her eyes. The noise reverberated through her skull, drowning out all other sounds and leaving her disoriented. Her vision blurred, colors bleeding together until she could no longer distinguish between sky and ground.
"Captain!" Alden shouted, rushing to her side. His voice sounded distant, distorted, as though he were speaking underwater.
Rook and Garrick followed close behind, their expressions shifting from confusion to outright panic. "What's happening to her?" Rook demanded, his usual sarcasm replaced by genuine fear.
"It's okay," Evelyn forced herself to say, though her words came out slurred and weak. "I'm fine…"
But none of them believed her. Alden placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, his gaze sharp and probing. "No, you're not. Tell us what's wrong."
Evelyn wanted to explain—to tell them about the Sky of Truth looming above, about the whispers clawing at the edges of her consciousness—but the words refused to form. Instead, she winced, her body trembling uncontrollably as the heartbeat grew louder, more insistent.
---
From a higher vantage point, the true nature of the Sky of Truth became horrifyingly clear. Its swirling vortex revealed itself to be composed of twelve chaotic eyes, each larger than a cathedral dome. These eyes glowed with unnatural light, their pupils shifting constantly like living things. They weren't merely observing—they were judging, dissecting, devouring reality piece by piece.
Each eye represented a fragment of cosmic knowledge too vast for mortal minds to comprehend. Some pulsed with crimson energy, symbolizing rage and destruction. Others shimmered with golden hues, hinting at forbidden wisdom and enlightenment. And still others radiated darkness so absolute that looking directly at them risked madness.
One eye in particular shone brighter than the rest, its gaze fixed squarely on Evelyn. As it flared with intensity, cracks began spreading outward from its center, fracturing the fabric of space and time across Port Solace. Buildings twisted grotesquely, their walls bending inward as though crushed by invisible hands. Shadows writhed violently, coalescing into monstrous shapes that loomed menacingly over the city. Fires burned unnaturally hot, consuming entire blocks in seconds while leaving behind ash that glowed faintly in the dark.
It was a blend of psychological terror—a manifestation of forces operating on scales incomprehensible to humanity. To those caught within its radius, the experience was akin to standing inside a nightmare brought to life. Memories fragmented, identities blurred, and destinies intertwined in ways impossible to predict.
Maltheris, for all his confidence, hadn't anticipated this development. He had assumed control over the ritual, believing himself prepared for whatever consequences arose. But the Sky of Truth transcended his understanding, revealing truths even he dared not confront. The Devourer of Echoes might have orchestrated this event, but its ultimate purpose remained shrouded in mystery.
---
Back on the ground, Evelyn struggled to maintain her composure as the cracks in reality spread closer to her position. She felt the weight of the Sky of Truth gaze pressing down on her, crushing her spirit alongside her body. Fragments of memories—both hers and others'—flashed before her eyes, disjointed and nonsensical. She saw glimpses of battles fought in Chrono Nexus, faces of friends long forgotten, and scenes from futures yet unwritten.
Her knees buckled beneath her, and she collapsed onto the cobblestones, her breathing shallow and erratic. Alden knelt beside her, gripping her shoulders firmly. "Stay with us, Evelyn! Whatever's happening, we'll get through it together."
Rook crouched nearby, his masked face unusually serious. "We need to move her somewhere safe. Now."
Garrick scanned the surroundings, his sharp eyes catching sight of the workshop they'd visited earlier. "There! We can take her inside."
As they lifted her gently, Evelyn's vision swam with images of the twelve eyes staring down at her, their gazes piercing through flesh and bone to reach the core of her soul. One thought echoed repeatedly in her mind, growing louder with each passing second:
This isn't just about me.
This is about everyone.
And everything.
---
End of Chapter